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Caring for the land is as basic to Scouting as bringing alongfood for the trail, and as constant as knowing which way weare going and when we will return. Much of this book has discussed terrific outdoor activities and the means to enjoythem in harmony with the outdoors. The principles of LeaveNo Trace are guidelines for making that happen. When we give careful thought to using a stove or a fire, to choosingappropriate campsites and travel routes, and to other means of minimizing our impact on the land, we are preventing environmental harm.

We can take our responsibilities a step further by rollingup our sleeves and pitching in to help preserve natural resourcesand restore damaged ecosystems. We have the power to makea difference for the Earth, and there is plenty we can do. Manyprojects involve stream cleanup, meadow revegetation, erosioncontrol, and habitat improvement. Others address the needs offorests, marshes, lakeshores, campgrounds, beaches, recreationalfacilities, and trails.

Taking on worthwhile tasks in the field makes theimportance of stewardship clear and immediate. That, in turn,helps us understand that we can be good stewards in the dailychoices we make as consumers, as users of resources, and asactive participants in deciding how to protect the environment.

For more on enjoying the outdoors responsibly, see the“Leaving No Trace” section of this book.

Being Good Stewards of Our Resources“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mead, American anthropologist and author

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FIELDBOOK—APPRECIATING OUR ENVIRONMENT

The Meaning of Stewardship

Historically, a steward is a person who cares for the property of others, striving to return it in comparable or better shape than when it was received.Each of us is a steward of the Earth, entrusted with the planet’s care for theyears we are here. The condition in which we leave it is our legacy to ourchildren, our grandchildren, and all the generations that follow.

Stewardship is important for many reasons. It allows us to give backsomething important in return for what we gain from the outdoors. It makesus much more aware of the intricacies of the natural world and the ways in which our actions affect it when we see the environment in terms ofmaintaining healthy ecosystemsrather than simply as consum-able resources. It meshes withLeave No Trace ethics by provid-ing the means to erase thosetraces of human activities that,over time, have injured the environment. As a means ofpracticing thrift and service,stewardship is an extension ofthe foundations of Scoutingexpressed in the Scout Oath and Law, the Outdoor Code, and the Venturing Oath.

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Active Stewardship

The trails we hike and the campsites where we pitch our tents probably fall under the jurisdictions of land management agencies, conservationorganizations, or the Boy Scouts of America. By becoming involved in environmental protection, maintenance, and improvement, we can enrichour outdoor experience by serving as active stewards of the places we use and enjoy. Of course, conservation projects must be done correctly or the effort will be wasted. For guidance, groups often can draw on theknowledge and support of BSA camp staffs and of land management personnel overseeing America’s public and private lands.

Land managers associated with local agencies such as communityparks departments might care for only a few acres. Those involved withlarge agencies, including the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service,Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service, administer tens of thousands of square miles of theAmerican landscape.

BSA local councils and district offices might be able to refer you toagency professionals, Scout camp personnel, or other Scout groups experi-enced in volunteer stewardship projects on public or BSA property. Manyland management agencies and organizations have designated coordinatorswho are experienced with stewardship volunteers, but some agency personnelmight not know what to expect or what is expected of them. That’s all right;

“A partnership between a Scout unit and an agency is very much like a friendship. It is based on mutual interests, needs, and shared trust. Like any good friendship, such a partnership may take time to develop.”—From The TRAIL Boss Manual, Boy Scouts of America, 1992

BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR RESOURCES

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developing a conservation project partnership includes the time it takes foragencies and volunteer groups to get to know each other.

For more on land management agencies, see the chapter titled“Planning a Trek.” For more on organizations involved with stewardship,see the Fieldbook Web site.

Planning Stewardship Projects

Volunteers who take on conservation efforts are contributing their time and energy for the good of the environment and should feel pride in theirimportant accomplishments. The following guidelines will help groups andland managers plan projects that serve the needs of the environment andensure that those involved are using their time well.

Use Good Leadership

Venturers, Boy Scouts, and members of other groups succeed best whenthey are led well. Leaders can share their responsibilities by involving other members of the group in planning and then providing them with thematerials, tools, and skills they require to successfully complete the project.

For more on leadership, see the chapter titled “Outdoor Leadership.”

Work Closely With Land Managers

First projects with a particular agency often are as much about gettingacquainted with land managers as they are about helping the land. The project should be limited in scope, lasting perhaps a few hours or an afternoon, so that participants can sample hands-on stewardship, and landmanagers can get a sense of a group’s ability and commitment. As volunteersgain experience and confidence, projects can become more lengthy andcomplex. Each project must have prior approval from the land managementagency or the landowner. Once a project is planned, following it through toproper completion is appreciated by land managers.

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Involving volunteersin active stewardshipis not appropriate for every local landmanagement office or for every group of backcountry users. Some agencypersonnel simply donot have the time, the resources, or theneed. Some groupsare not sufficientlycommitted to theresponsibilities involved in developing long-term conservationpartnerships. When everyone is willing to explore the potential,though, the possibilities are remarkable.

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Consider Skill Levels

A demanding goal can set people up to fail and cause them to lose interest.On the other hand, the best opportunities challenge people to push a littlebeyond their current abilities and to master new skills. Choose a projectwith a level of challenge that best fits the group’s skills.

Make a Difference

Effective projects allow participants to see that their efforts have meaning.They will be eager to return for future projects if they have gained a senseof pride in doing their best for the land.

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Adopt-a-Site

Adopt-a-site partnerships allow Venturing crews, Scout troops, andother groups to pledge themselves to providing long-term care of acampsite or trail, and to see how their efforts protect and improve thearea over the months and years.

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Preproject Visit

Visiting the project site a week or two before the effort begins allows landmanagers and group leaders to clarify expectations and to draw up lists oftools, materials, and logistical tasks. Among the questions to be answeredduring a preproject visit are the following.

• Where is the project located, andhow will everyone reach the site?

• What is the project’s goal, andwho should be included in theplanning process?

• What portion of the project can the group reasonably expectto finish?

• What are the steps for complet-ing the project?

• Is the project site safe? If not,assist the agency in eliminatingany safety concerns, or move the project to another site.

• Does the group have the skillsneeded? If not, who can providethe information and/or trainingthey need and help oversee theproject?

• What tools and materials arerequired, and how will they beprovided? Will there be enoughtools to keep each participantbusy, productive, and safe?

• Is the extent of the project comparable to the size of thegroup? Is leadership adequate?

• Will volunteers need specialclothing or personal gear? If theymight get wet or muddy, shouldthey bring a change of clothingfor the trip home?

• What activities, such as cleaningup the project site, completingevaluations, and returning tools, will effectively concludethe project?

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Emergency Response Plan

As with any outdoor activity, a troop, crew, or other group planning a stewardship project should put together an emergency response plan thatincludes emergency contacts in case of injury or illness, the location of theclosest medical facilities, and the means of transporting people to and fromthe project site. Make sure a first-aid kit is available and that there will bepeople at the project site who know how to use it.

For more on emergency response plans, see the chapter titled“Planning a Trek.”

Risk Management

Address safety right from the start of project planning. Agencies often havetheir own safety standards and will expect volunteers to follow their guide-lines. Group leaders and land management personnel should identify anyhazards to be avoided and incorporate any methods to enhance safety.

A tailgate safety talk can be a standard project feature. Before the project begins, gather all participants to discuss project goals and safety concerns. In addition to the usual safety issues of being outdoors(weather, insects, sun exposure, etc.), conservation projects have some specific safety considerations:

• Clothing and equipment. Depending on the project, sturdy boots, hardhats, gloves, and eye protection might be needed.

• Safe spacing. Anyone swinging a tool should be at least two tool-lengthsaway from every other person.

• Body mechanics. Conservation projects provide great opportunities forparticipants to learn the right ways to lift objects, handle tools, and pacethemselves through a day of outdoor activity.


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Documentation

Keep a written evaluation of each project for your group’s records, and provide a copy to the land managers with whom your group is cooperating.Including before-and-after photographs can provide clear evidence of the value of the volunteers’ efforts. A typical evaluation answers the following questions:

• How many people were involved in the project, and how many hours did they dedicate? (To figure person-hours, multiply the number of participants by the number of hours it took to complete the project. For example, over an eight-hour day, a group of 10 volunteers has contributed 80 person-hours of effort.)

• What was accomplished? (Detail numbers and/or amounts—feet of trail cleared, number of trees planted, length of shoreline protected, percentage of a campsite repaired, etc.)

• Are there tools or skills that could improve the volunteers’ efficiency?Could group leaders or land management personnel provide additionalsupport? Add any comments and recommendations that might help everyone do a better job next time.

Recognition

The BSA honors the importance of stewardship in a variety of ways, including with patches, awards, and advancement. Agency personnel assisting volunteers in the completion of stewardship projects also deserverecognition, and they might be eligible for certain Scouting awards. A letterto an agency supervisor thanking someone for his or her help is alwaysappreciated. Perhaps the most meaningful recognition is sincere thanks and handshakes from volunteers in the field.

For more on conservation awards,see the Fieldbook Web site.

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The William T. Hornaday Award was established in 1914 by Dr.Hornaday, then director of the NewYork Zoological Park. The awardrecognizes BSA members and unitsfor service to conservation andenvironmental quality. Other BSAawards relating to stewardship arethe Conservation Good Turn Award,World Conservation Award, and theKeep America Beautiful Award.

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Sample Stewardship Projects

The following is an overview of a few stewardship efforts that volunteerscan carry out effectively.

Trail Maintenance

Trails are at the mercy of ero-sion, encroaching vegetation,and user impact. Water fromrain, springs, and snowmeltgouges gullies in trails andnarrows the tread with siltdeposits. Brush and treebranches can make trail corridors almost impassable.Misuse by hikers, bicyclists,horseback riders, and otherscreates damaging shortcutsand unnecessary tread widen-ing. Bridges, water bars, andother wooden trail structureseventually will rot away andrequire replacement. Steps,retaining walls, and otherstone fixtures also demandoccasional attention.

Nearly every kind of trail damage can be fixed. All it takes is time, skill, and enthusiasm.

“Our ideals, laws, andcustoms should be basedon the proposition thateach generation, in turn,becomes the custodianrather than the absoluteowner of our resourcesand each generation hasthe obligation to pass this inheritance on to the future.”—Charles Lindbergh, 1971 (Celebrated for

his 1927 solo flight across the AtlanticOcean, he became an advocate of stew-ardship and environmental protection.)

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Brushing

Brushing removes branches, bushes, vines, fallen trees, and other vegetationto maintain a clear travel corridor of sufficient width and height to allowtrail users to pass without difficulty. Brushing tools include loppers, bushsaws, clippers, and pole saws. The following guidelines will enable volun-teers to brush a travel corridor so that it looks as natural as possible.

• Cut bushes flush with the ground to avoid leaving a stump that might trip a hiker. Cut branches close to tree trunks to avoid leaving “hat racks”that might snag clothing, packs, horses, or people.

• Undercut tree branches by sawing through about one-third of their diameter from underneath, then complete the cut from above. That will prevent the falling branch from stripping the bark from living trees.

• Scatter brush and branches out of view of the trail. Cut brush and prunedbranches that lie flat on the ground will decompose quickly. Do not leavepiles of brush that might attract harmful insects.

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Compaction of the tread can create a berm on the outside edge. Rainwater running from

the backslope to the downslope of a trail may deposit silt on the tread. Removing this

slough and berm can restore a trail’s proper appearance.

BERM

DOWNSLOPE

BACKSLOPE

SLOUGH

TREAD

Maintaining Drainage Structures

Many hillside trails deter erosion withembedded water bars that divert rainwater and snowmelt from the tread. Built from large rocks, logs, orlumber, water bars should be placedwith enough care to withstand hard use by hikers and horses while stillaccomplishing their task.

Silt building up behind a water bar can render it useless. Using a shovel, mattock, Pulaski, or even the heel of your hiking boot, scrapeaway the silt and restore the shape ofthe drainage slope so that the water bar will be effective again. Where necessary, replace rotted logs and resetloose rocks.

Maintaining Tread

A common trail concern is silt buildup on the inside edge of the tread(where it is called slough) and the outside edge (berm). Slough and berm narrow the tread, making passage more difficult. Water trappedbetween slough and berm can causeerosion as it flows along the trail.

Mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, and rakes are effective tools for removing compacted slough and berm. Loosened silt can fill in rutsalong the trail or be scattered over awide area beyond the trail.

TREAD

BERMSLOUGH

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Restoration, Revegetation, and Habitat Improvement

Lakeshores, stream banks, trails, campsites, meadows, alpine tundra—allenvironments that humans use extensively will show signs of erosion andvegetation loss. The encroachment of nonnative vegetation also threatensmany ecosystems vital to wildlife. Progress in repairing damaged sites is

often slow, but groups serious about revegetation andrestoration will see dramatic long-term changes.

Revegetation is the art of reintroducing plantcommunities to areas where vegetation growth has been discouraged. Revegetation improves an area’sappearance, protects it from erosion, and enhances it

as an inviting wildlife habitat.Sowing grass seed on mine tailings is a good example of a revegetation project.

Restoration is an attemptto heal the land by returning it to its natural integrity. In additionto sowing seed, restoration ofmine tailings might include contouring the terrain and bringing in topsoil.

A trail 3 feet

wide represents

nearly a quarter-

acre of bare

ground per mile.

3 feet

This restored wetland near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, provides good habitat for fish and other wildlife.

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“We should know the Great Spirit iswithin all things: the trees, the grasses,the rivers, the mountains, and the four-legged and winged peoples.”—Black Elk (1863–1950), Oglala Sioux holy man

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It might not be possible to restore a site to its condition before beingdisturbed by human activity. For example, a climax forest that has beencleared away cannot be recreated even if volunteers were to devote the rest of their lives to it. However, they can recreate the early stages of such a forest so that natural processes can move forward. Restoration gives anarea a jump start on recovery, allowing the land a better chance to heal.

Erasing Inappropriate Trails and Campsites

Little will grow where the weight of many footsteps has compacted thetread’s soil, so an inviting trail emerges. By concentrating use on the trailrather than on the surrounding environment, impact is limited to the tread.A planned trail is a sacrifice zone that we accept because it makes traveleasier and it limits human impact to the pathway.

Problems arise when people stray from designated trails and, bytrampling vegetation and compacting soil in other areas, create social trails.Many land managers try to solve that problem by selecting one routethrough an area, enhancing a single trail for everyone to follow, and thenerasing the social trails.

Likewise, heavily used campsites often are so barren of vegetationthat more camping on them will cause little further damage. Resource managers often encourage people to continue using those campsites to protect the surrounding vegetation. However, where there are too manycampsites or when campsites appear in inappropriate places, it might bewise to close certain sites and restore them as much as possible.

With guidance from restoration experts and land managers, volunteergroups create visual barriers to discourage people from camping where theyshouldn’t. Loosening compacted soil and transplanting vegetation createsconditions that will help damaged areas recover much of their natural diver-sity and appearance.

Steps in Restoration

and Revegetation

As with any conservationproject, land managersand group leaders shoulddo some careful planningbefore volunteers arrive at a restoration site. Theplanning process will helpdetermine attainable goalsand increase the environ-mental education opportu-nities for everyone.


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Study the Area

Determine the causes and extent of the environmental damage at a site,then develop a coherent, overall plan to deal with it. Consider the soil type,annual precipitation, length and timing of the growing season, and plantcommunities native to the area, as well as the amount of time volunteers are willing to dedicate to improving the site.

Provide Options for Human Activity

Areas often become damaged because people use them. Efforts to restorevegetation will not be very effective if visitors continue to trample and compact repaired sites. Providing attractive alternative routes and campsiteswill help persuade people to avoid areas undergoing restoration.

Loosen Compacted Soil

When many people walk in the same area, their weight compacts the soil,collapsing tiny air pockets, hardening the ground, and driving out earth-worms, small insects, and other creatures that enrich the soil as decomposersand aerators. Tiny root ends can no longer push through the compressedearth. Mycelia, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms essential to vegetation health might also be unable to survive.

The first step inrestoring closed campsitesand abandoned trails is toloosen the top 6 inches ofcompacted soil using shovels,garden tools, Pulaskis, andpicks. Loosened soil is aninviting bed for seeds driftingin from surrounding vegeta-tion. Scattering leaves on thedisturbed area creates mulchthat can protect seedlingsfrom drying out.

Install Barriers and

Camouflage

Among the most satisfyingaspects of a restoration project is developing natural-looking visual barriers to discourage people from enter-ing an area. That can giveplants the time they need to become reestablished. If people can’t see through a site, they are not likely towalk through it, and they


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will not be tempted to pitch tents there if stones and clumps of thorny bushesare covering the ground.

Restoration experts can show you how to install logs and rocks,transplant prickly native species, and then step back to examine what youhave done. Can you make it look more natural? Let your efforts spill overinto undisturbed areas to erase the boundary between a restored zone andthe natural environment around it.

The same holds true in closing trails. Rather than simply throwingarmloads of brush on the tread and ending up with an eyesore of woodydebris, blend rocks and brush into the visual background to block the trailbut not attract undue attention.

Transplanting

Transplanting bushes, clumps ofgrass, and saplings into loosenedsoil speeds the healing of arestoration site, but its successdepends upon a project crew’sknowledge of local vegetation,proper planting times and methods, and a commitment to the ongoing care of the area.

The best time to trans-plant usually is autumn, whenvegetation is becoming dormantand will be less affected by theshock of being moved. In springand summer, transplanting canstress plants, especially whenmost of their energy is going into producing flowers, seed,and roots.

Transplanted grass canthrive in new locations. Selectnative species from adjacent areas so that the vegetation taking root in a restored area will be the same as what was there before the damageoccurred. Take plants from areas that are similar to the restoration area in terrain and amount of sunlight. If shaded plants from a moist forest floorare moved to the edge of a dry, sunnier meadow, for example, they are notlikely to survive.

Before you dig up a plant, prepare the hole that will receive it bypouring in some water and perhaps a mixture of mulch and a natural fertilizersuch as fish meal. Carefully remove the plant from its original location andimmediately transplant it. Remove dead, damaged, and crowded limbs toshape the tree and reduce the transplanting shock to the roots. The less timefragile roots are exposed to the air, the less likely they will be to dry out.Give the transplant plenty of water after replanting. Depending on climateand weather patterns, it might require a few more irrigations in the days orweeks that follow.


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Weed Control

Among the more labor-intensive challenges facing many land managers islimiting the spread of weeds. A weed is any unwanted plant. Land manage-ment agencies often approach a weed problem with a four-step plan:

Prevention—educating the public on ways to avoid transporting weed seedsfrom one area to another

Removal—removing weeds from an area

Restoration—helping native vegetation reestablish itself

Monitoring—diligently seeking and eliminating new weed growth

With their numbers and enthusiasm, volunteer groups can help withall four steps of weed control. Assisted by land managers, the group’s planto effectively deal with weeds in an area will clearly identify the plants to be removed and the most efficient removal methods. Considerations for aweed-removal plan include the following.

• Identify the plant. If in doubt,don’t pull it out.

• Pull weeds at the right time ofyear, ideally before they produceand disperse their seed.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, longpants, and gloves when workingwith weeds that have thorns orsap that can irritate the skin.

• Pull small infestations of weedsby hand, especially when a nox-ious plant has first been detectedin an area. Hand pulling also is a good alternative in sites where herbicides and mechanicalremoval methods cannot be used.

• If weeds have deep root systemsthat cannot be pulled out byhand, try cutting them flush withthe ground or using shovels,Pulaskis, and other tools to digthem out.

• Land managers will direct you inthe best ways to dispose of theweeds you remove.

For more on weeds, see thechapter titled “Plants.”

Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense, is a

troublesome perennial weed throughout

the United States.


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Lifelong Stewardship

Stewardship is an obvious extension of trek adventures. In fact, caring forthe environment can be an adventure that lasts a lifetime and ranges wherever our travels take us. As with other outdoor skills, the more wepractice active stewardship, the more easily we can find what needs to be done and the means to achieve our goals. That serves not only the well-being of the land, but also the betterment of ourselves in our apprecia-tion, enjoyment, and protection of natural resources.

A South Dakota rancher discusses grazing management techniques with a conservationist from

the National Resources Conservation Service.

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“The nation behaveswell if it treats the natural resources asassets which it mustturn over to the nextgeneration increased,and not impaired in value.”—Theodore Roosevelt, United States

president, 1900–1908

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